In this Issue:

• What's your Jewish New Year's Resolution?

• JUF Book Buddies Fall Holidays Event

• 2010-2011 JUF Book Buddies Schedule

• Looking for High Holiday Services this Year?

• Did You Know that 400+ School Children Were Helped by JCFS this Fall?

• What's Happening at the JCC

• What's Happening at Area Synagogues

JUF’s Shalom Baby welcomes the newest members of our community by providing a complimentary gift package to Jewish newborns up to one year old in Chicagoland.

Learn more »

Dear Families,

With the Jewish New Year just around the corner (Rosh Hashanah starts at sundown, Wednesday, Sept. 8th) many of us are thinking about our new year’s resolution lists. If your list includes making Jewish practice more a part of your family’s life, Amy Meltzer, author, blogger and PJ Library parent, shares her favorite fun and easy ideas on her blog.

What's on your list? Maybe it's sitting down for Shabbat dinner as a family, trying a tot Shabbat service at a neighborhood synagogue or joining up with us at JUF Book Buddies (dates below) this year?

And we'll reflect too! If there is any way we can help over the next year - any programs you want to see, any resources you need - please don't hesitate to email us here.

Shana tova, happy new year. We look forward to sharing a sweet year with all of you.

The Fall Holidays Kick Off Event is now SOLD OUT!

We are sorry that we can’t accept any more registrations at this time - we still can’t believe we sold out the ENTIRE Kohl’s Children’s Museum!

We will be maintaining a waitlist for families who have not yet registered. Please email us to have your family added to the waitlist. Should space become available, we will notify you by email. Or, if your family has signed up but your plans (or number of people attending) have changed, please contact us so that another family can join us!

We wish your family a sweet New Year. Please join us for JUF Book Buddies this year - details below!

Last year over 400 families joined us at one of our JUF Book Buddies programs. JUF Book Buddies is an exciting program for young families with children ages 0-5. Join us one Sunday a month at a bookstore near you to learn about the Jewish holidays, sing songs, do arts and crafts, and meet new friends. There is no cost to attend but advance registration is requested.

Programs meet on the following Sundays, 10:30 - 11:30 am:

• October 24
• November 21
• December 5 - Vernon Hills only
• December 12 - Oak Park, Naperville, and Chicago
• January 16
• February 20
• March 13
• April TBD

JUF Book Buddies will be offered in 4 locations:

• Barnes & Noble Naperville - 47 East Chicago Avenue, Naperville, IL
• Barnes & Noble Vernon Hills - 720 Hawthorne Center, Vernon Hills, IL
• Borders Bookstore Chicago - 755 West North Avenue, Chicago, IL
• Borders Bookstore Oak Park - 1114 Lake Street, Oak Park, IL

Registration is now open atwww.juf.org/bookbuddies.

JUF Book Buddies is part of the Jewish United Fund’s Joyfully Jewish initiative and supported by JUF, the PJ Library and the Jewish Community Center of Chicago.

The Chicago Board of Rabbis has posted a listing of synagogues and institutions in the Chicago area that welcome people who are not currently members to participate in their services, including some family services. Please contact the synagogues directly for all the details and times of services or contact the Board of Rabbis with any other questions at 312-444-2896.

For families with school-aged children, September means filling shopping carts with new notebooks, sharpened pencils, brightly colored folders and other school supplies. But for some local families, prioritizing food and rent means going without these first-day essentials.

That’s where the Jewish Child & Family Services (JCFS), an affiliate of the Jewish Federation of Metropolitan Chicago, comes in. This year, JCFS provided 425 school-aged children with backpacks filled with school supplies. Backpacks are personalized as much as possible to each child’s “wish list” to include folders in their favorite colors or featuring favorite TV characters or athletes. JCFS tells us that "the children appreciate this even more than toys at holidays because no one knows if you don’t get a toy, but if you show up to school without a backpack it’s a public sign that your family isn’t doing well financially."

To learn more about this and other JCFS initiatives to provide school-aged children with basic needs, therapeutic services, and other opportunities for success, visit www.jcfs.org.

Me and My Dad

Strengthen the bond between you and your child, while enjoying games, projects, and creative holiday celebrations with other dads and their kids (ages K and up) in your area. Dads set up monthly get-togethers based on their schedules, where JCC facilitators lead hands-on activities, crafts, and special family events.

Groups begin in September; Kick Off Party is August 29. For more information, contact Susan Ellenby 224-406-9223 or mmd@gojcc.org.

got shabbat?

got shabbat? is a great way for families with children ages 4-8 to spend a Shabbat afternoon. Enjoy craft projects, food, Shabbat songs and special guest entertainer Nili Yelin-The storybook mom while visiting the NEW Garoon Gateway to Science.

Saturday, September 25, 3:30-5:00 pm
JCC Elaine Frank Apachi Day Camp
Contact Susan Ellenby 224-406-9223

Learn more about JCC's group swim lessons and pre-school sports leagues.

Kabbalat Shabbat at the Shelter at Lighthouse Beach with Beth Emet
Friday, September 3 beginning at 5:15 pm, 2611 Sheridan Road
Please call for rain location at 847-869-4230.

Temple Beth-El Sukkot Family Celebration
Wednesday, September 22 beginning at 5:15 pm, Temple Beth-El - 3610 Dundee Road, Northbrook. Reservations are required for dinner; contact Janice Hadesman 847-205-9982 ext 211.

Sukkot Lunch, Kite-making and Launch at Beth Judea
Sunday, September 26, 12 noon - 3:00 pm, Congregation Beth Judea, Long Grove, IL. Cost (including lunch) is $10/family up to 4 people and $15/family of 5 or more. More information can be found here.

Temple Beth-El’s Run/Walk for the Health of It
Neighborhood 5K Run or 1 Mile Family Walk
Sunday, September 26 - 7:00 am registration begins, 8:00 am 5K run starts,8:10 am 1 mile family walk starts; Temple Beth-El - 3610 Dundee Road, Northbrook.

Temple Beth-El Simchat Torah Celebration
Wednesday, September 29 beginning at 7:00 pm, Temple Beth-El - 3610 Dundee Road, Northbrook.

Simchat Torah Flag Parade at Beth Judea
Thursday, September 30, 7:00 pm, Congregation Beth Judea, Long Grove. Check out the full calendar of Focus on Families events for information on this and other family programs.